Rogers Centre

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

15 miles/20 minutes to Rogers Centre

WHERE TO STAY?  All of the following Ballpark Chasers recommended lodging are in walking distance of Rogers Stadium

Unlimited budget

Residence Inn Toronto Downtown (entertainment district)

Hotel le Germain Toronto

Soho Metropolitan Hotel

The Westin Harbour Castle

Moderate budget

Renaissance Hotel Toronto Downtown

The Strathcona Hotel

Chaser budget traveler

Super 8 Toronto

Travelodge Toronto Downtown

Ballpark Chasers Tip: although it isn’t the nicest hotel in Toronto, the Renaissance Hotel offers a once in a lifetime chance to sleep in a Major League Baseball stadium! There are over 70 rooms with a field view, so start saving and reserve several months in advance.

WHERE TO PARK?

Rogers Centre is located in the heart of downtown Toronto and can be difficult to navigate if you are not familiar with the area. The Blue Jays underground parking is the most convenient option. Otherwise, garages, paid lots and street parking are readily available in the surrounding city blocks. Expect a price range of $10 to $30 for parking, depending on the distance to the stadium.

WHERE TO EAT?

Downtown Toronto provides numerous restaurants and sports bars. “The Great One” has his very own restaurant with a unique name, “Wayne Gretzky’s Restaurant”. Okay, so the name isn’t that original but the décor and food make up for it. Where else can you find continuous highlight reels from the remarkable career of Wayne Gretzky and hundreds of memorabilia items throughout his playing days? Not to mention, the food is pretty good too. Don’t leave without trying their famous meatloaf!

Another fun sports hangout is the Armadillo Texas Grille. You can’t go wrong if you love large portions, local fans, and great margaritas! Make sure to arrive early on game days as this spot becomes the place to be for Blue Jays fans. Our last recommendation for eating outside of the ballpark is Pizza Rustica. We were quite surprised to find a local pizza joint in Toronto that could make a great pie and live up to Ballpark Chasers standards. Come check them out and decide for yourself.

Inside the stadium the food takes a turn for the worse. Ballpark Chasers does not recommend any concessions at this time because they are only serving average hot dogs, hamburgers and boring stadium pizza. Your best bet is to arrive when the gates open and get a seat at the Hard Rock Café, located in Right Field.  Serving on game days only, the Hard Rock is an ideal way to catch the game while enjoying a good ol’ classic American meal.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?

The Blue Jays were second to last in attendance average during the 2009 season. Only the Oakland Coliseum had worse Major League Baseball attendance. This is good news for Ballpark Chasers traveling to Rogers Centre. Blue Jays tickets are easily available before home games through their box office, located at Gate 9 (Bremner Blvd, just east of Spadina Ave). Purchasing tickets from scalpers is another choice and you will find them very visible on all sides of the stadium. As long as the Blue Jays are not competing for a playoff spot and the seats are wide open, purchasing tickets from scalpers usually presents a better deal than through the box office. Remember, there are dozens of scalpers all competing for your business, so feel free to negotiate! 

Ballpark Chasers Tip: if you just want in the game and don’t care about where you sit, plan your trip to see a Tuesday game to take advantage of a $2 ticket in all 500 level and some 200 level seats!

WHEN TO GO?

Rogers Centre was the first Major League Baseball stadium to build a retractable roof. The Blue Jays will not only close the roof with rain, but also during those hot, summer afternoons. Spring and fall temperatures tend to be on the cooler side in Toronto; therefore, Ballpark Chasers recommend the months of June, July and August when traveling to Rogers Centre.

WHAT ELSE TO SEE?

Just blocks from Rogers Centre lie two of Toronto’s must see attractions. The CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame are a perfect way to spend the day before a Blue Jays game. To get the most out of the 1,800 ft. tall CN Tower, Ballpark Chasers recommends purchasing tickets for the “Total Tower Experience”. This package includes glass floor elevator rides, sky pod and look-out observation decks, a documentary film and motion theatre ride. The Hockey Hall of Fame is a short walk from the CN Tower and is the “Mecca” for hockey fans. For just $13, one can see the Stanley Cup, slap shots at real-time goalies, test your goalkeeping skills (by taking shots from Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier), watch hockey movies, and be a play-by-play announcer, while taking in the world’s largest collection of hockey memorabilia!   

If you have a rental car and are up for a two hour drive, head west to visit the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Mary’s, Ontario. Although it isn’t as grand as Cooperstown, the CBHF is still worth the trip for any baseball fan. The museum pays tribute to over 80 Canadian baseball heroes, with tons of baseball memorabilia, artifacts and souvenirs. Coming soon to the CBHF is “The Great Canadian Dream Park”, a 32 acre site that will hold a new baseball stadium, three baseball fields, walking trails, picnic grounds, and a new interactive museum and education center. With a target completion date of 2013, the new Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame looks to be the next home for baseball in Canada.

Other options to consider seeing while in the Toronto area are: Royal Ontario Museum, China Town, an African Lion Safari, a ferry ride to Centre Island and a short drive to Niagara Falls.

BALLPARK CHASERS VACATION?

Rogers Centre is only one of four Major League Ballparks that is not easily accessible to other stadiums. Although Ballpark Chasers recommends using Rogers Centre as a Solo Trip, it is possible to combine with Comerica Park in Detroit. It is about a 4 hour drive between the 2 cities, not including time spent crossing the border (don’t forget your passport)! A closer alternative is to head south into New York. Two hours from Toronto is home of the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple A Affiliate of the New York Mets. The Bisons play in Coca-Cola Field which is one of the largest Minor League stadiums and arguably one of the best. If you come, make sure to grab a bite at their in-stadium restaurant, Pettibones Grille.